A guide to Autumn Budget 2017

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE BUDGET 2017

This is a basic guide, prepared by ACCA’s Technical Advisory team, for members and their colleagues or clients. It is an introduction only and should not be used as a definitive guide, since individual circumstances may vary. Specific advice should be obtained, where necessary.

The budget message from the Chancellor was that ‘the economy that continues to grow, continues to create more jobs than ever before and continues to confound those who seek to talk it down’. You can read the individual measures and details of some of the numerous consultations below.

Rates and allowances

2017/18

2018/19

£

£

Income tax rates – (non-dividend income)

0% lower rate tax – savings rate only

Up to 5,000

Up to 5,000

20% basic rate tax

11,500 to 45,000

11,851 to 46,350

40% higher rate tax

45,001 – 150,000

46,351 – 150,000

45% additional rate tax

Above £150,000

Above £150,000

Scottish Income tax rates – (non-dividend income)

0% lower rate tax – savings rate only

Up to 5,000

Up to 5,000

20% basic rate tax

11,500 to 43,000

11,500 to 43,000

40% higher rate tax

43,001 – 150,000

43,001 – 150,000

45% additional rate tax

Above £150,000

Above £150,000

Personal allowance

Personal allowance

11,500

11,850

The Scottish government budget will take place on 14 December 2017.

Marriage allowance

From 6 April 2018 the transfer of £1,185 of a personal allowance to a spouse or partner or deceased partners is available. The inclusion of deceased partners applies from 29 November 2017 and can be backdated 4 years, subject to conditions.

Dividend allowance

The tax-free dividend allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018. The reduction of the dividend tax free allowance impact is £225, £975 or £1,143 a year depending on whether recipients pay tax at the basic rate, higher rate or the additional rate.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: relief for first time buyers

From 22 November 2017 first time buyers paying £300,000 or less for a residential property will pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This measure does not apply in Scotland. SDLT was devolved to Scotland on 1st April 2015. This measure will apply in Wales until 1 April 2018, when SDLT will be devolved to Wales.

Portion of consideration

Current rates

New rate for first time buyers

Up to £125,000

0%

0%

Over £125,000 and up to £250,000

2%

0%

Over £250,000 and up to £300,000

5%

0%

Over £300,000 and up to £500,000

5%

5%

Corporation tax

The corporation tax rate will remain at 19% for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 tax years.

Annual investment allowance

The annual investment allowance of £200,000 per annum remains available for companies and for unincorporated businesses.

Making tax digital

The chancellor announced that the enabling legislation in the Finance (No.2) Act 2017 has been passed. This allows, subject to secondary legislation for HMRC to require businesses to keep records digitally. VAT is the only area mandated to use MTDfB and this is from April 2019.

VAT

2017/18

2018/19

£

£

VAT

Standard rate

20%

20%

Registration threshold

85,000

85,000

Deregistration threshold

83,000

83,000

A review of VAT thresholds has been announced, with the Chancellor stating that the thresholds will remain unchanged for two years.

Relief from business rates increases

The Chancellor has announced that business rates will rise in line with CPI. This is lower than the inflation rate.

ATED

From 1 April 2018 the charges for the annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) will be increased by 3%. Returns for 2018/19 are to be filed electronically.

2016/17

2017/18

£

£

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)

More than £0.5m but not more than £1m

3,500

3,600

More than £1m but not more than £2m

7,050

7,250

More than £2m but not more than £5m

23,550

24,250

More than £5m but not more than £10m

54,950

56,550

More than £10m but not more than £20m

110,100

113,400

More than £20m

220,350

226,950

IR35
Unsurprisingly, it was announced that HMRC will consult on reforms to IR35 for the private sector. It is unclear if this will look at a more modern approach to self-employment or will keep the assessment used for the public sector which was enacted this year.

The trading cash basis thresholds for unincorporated businesses will remain at £150,000. The exit threshold is also unchanged at £300,000.

Disincorporation relief

The current relief will not be extended beyond 31 March 2018.

Taxation of trusts

The taxation of trusts will be subject to a consultation and review in 2018.

Corporation Tax: removal of capital gains indexation allowance

When a company makes a capital gain on or after 1 January 2018, the indexation allowance that is applied in order to determine the amount of the chargeable gain will be calculated up to December 2017.

R&D

The Research and Development Expenditure Credit rate will increase by 1% to 12% for expenditure incurred on or after 1 January 2018.

Class 2 and Class 4 NIC

The government has chosen to delay the abolition of Class 2 NICs by a year until 6 April 2019.

Class 4 will remain at 9% and will not be subject to the increases previously announced.

Landlords

Landlords, now have a choice on deductions in relation to travel expenses as they are now able to use mileage allowances for their property rental businesses

Diesel cars

The benefit in kind will increase from 3% to 4% with the maximum percentage being 37%.

ACCA LEGAL NOTICE

This is a basic guide prepared by the ACCA UK‘s Technical Advisory Service for members and their clients. It should not be used as a definitive guide, since individual circumstances may vary. Specific advice should be obtained, where necessary.